Letters | Black comedy, chronic pain, tort reform

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Black comedy

If, as has been said, irony is the darkest form of humor, then we must be living in a comedie noire. Recently, various desperate state legislators of the GOP/Christian variety (OK, so that's redundant) have attempted to pass laws limiting the 14th Amendment rights of gays and lesbians under the guise of protecting the First Amendment rights of Christians.

Fortunately none of these Jim Crow-esque efforts has yet gained necessary footing, but imagine: the life testimonies of followers of a man who elevated the lowly over the mighty displaying exactly the opposite of what they purport to be. What happened to "do unto others" and "judge not?" Pharisees and whitewashed tombs come to mind but those, of course, are other stories.

And now Kentucky Baptists are pimping the gospel with firearms. Is anyone else sensing a cognitive dissonance here? This isn't what I remember hearing in childhood Sunday School about someone called The Prince of Peace. Bellicose Baptists thump their chests to protect their Second Amendment rights and bring the unchurched to Jesus with the hope of, not salvation, but a firearm! I guess we'll begin seeing bracelets emblazoned with "WWWJC" -Which Weapon Would Jesus Carry?

Please, will someone raise the house lights? This farce has gone on quite long enough.

DAVID ARNOLD

Louisville 40207

Chronic pain

It seems the concern for the release of the new hydrocodone tablet Zohydro is focused on the possible abuse and addictive potential once it is released for medical use. Lacking from the hue and cry is any acknowledgment of the potential beneficence of the drug for those who suffer chronic, intractable pain. Enacting stringent legal controls for prescribers is sensible, but one has to be realistic and aware of the unforeseen consequences of many well-intentioned measures.

Just as prohibition gave rise to organized crime, recent legislation imposed on prescribers to stem the flow of pain medication in Kentucky has contributed to an exponential rise in heroin abuse. The karst landscape of sinkholes, caves and fissures that underlies much of our region serves as a metaphor in the legislative battle against prescription drug abuse. When water encounters blockage in its downward path, its journey continues through any possible opening until it arrives at its unplanned destination.

Placing Sudafed behind pharmacy counters was well-intentioned, but methamphetamine cooks adjusted and abuse persists. Blocking a new drug because of its abuse potential also impacts the many with legitimate needs who would benefit from the drug. Focusing on each individual pain pill or powder in the battle against drug abuse is noble, but perhaps the focus should be on addressing why there is such a huge demand for chemicals to abuse.

BRIAN VAN HOOSE, RN MPH

Floyds Knobs, Ind. 47119

Tort reform now

Now is the time to fix Kentucky's medical liability system. Many states have passed some sort of tort reform, including bordering states such as West Virginia, Indiana and Tennessee. This is a major concern when trying to recruit new physicians since many believe the current system does not provide doctors with a fair process. Legal cases can also drag on for years, which can take an emotional toll on physicians as well as waste dollars that could be otherwise spent on providing quality care to patients.

Without tort reform, Kentucky faces an uphill battle recruiting and retaining healthcare providers for our state at a crucial time when many people are obtaining insurance and need a physician more than ever. Therefore, as an endocrinologist who has been in practice for 31 years, I urge the Kentucky Legislature to support Senate Bill 119 - a common sense bill that puts the focus of health care where it belongs: on patients.

FRED A. WILLIAMS, M.D.

President, Kentucky Medical Association

Louisville 40202

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Letters | Black comedy, chronic pain, tort reform

If, as has been said, irony is the darkest form of humor, then we must be living in a comedie noire.